Certifications can be a
great way to enhance a career. They will not make you an expert but can give
direction and confidence to practice more. Certifications can provide a great
foundation for your professional knowledge base. Cloud technology is causing a major
change in the IT landscape. More organizations are adopting cloud services and
integrating them into their IT infrastructure. Storing data, transferring and
processing data in the cloud requires skills and knowledge.
It can be catastrophic
if an enterprise or other organization botches cloud integration. The results
could possibly disrupt business operations or lead to a security breach and
data loss. It takes leadership and understanding to utilize technology to
enhance business. There are careless cloud integrations that are being carried
out because executive management wants cloud.
The CCSP – Certified
Cloud Security Professional is brought to you by experts at (ISC)². The same
organization that provides the CISSP exam. The CCSP does have an experience
requirement, but it is possible to take exam without require experience. There
are also ways to substitute the required experience with other certifications
or credentials. The cost for the exam is $599.00. This certification is highly
recommended for IT professionals who already have earned a CISSP or SSCP
certification.
The CCSP can demonstrate
an IT professional has the skills and knowledge to design, manage and secure
data, applications and infrastructure in the cloud using best practices,
policies and procedures. There are opportunities for professionals who have
these skills and can use them effectively. The number of opportunities will be
increasing over the next 3 years or so. The CCSP may not be the right
certification for you now or in the future but make sure you are investing in
professional development that aligns with your goals.
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Best Study Guides for AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Certification Exam
Top 5 books to study for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam
Certifications can be a great way to enhance a career. They will not make you an expert but can give direction and confidence to practice more. Certifications can provide a great foundation for your professional knowledge base. Cloud technology is causing a major change in the IT landscape. More organizations are adopting cloud services and integrating them into their IT infrastructure. Storing data, transferring and processing data in the cloud requires skills and knowledge. The Cyber Job Mentor recommends these 5 books as a start to gaining the knowledge and skill necessary. These are affiliate links and proceeds go to the Cyber Job Mentor. The links below do include affiliate links and a commission may be earned at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon is a leader in cloud services. Being able
to pass the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner should give you basic skills in
understanding AWS architectural principles, basic security, and basic
infrastructure. This exam does not require any previous experience and Amazon
provides many of the resources needed to study for free and you can sign up for
a free account to practice. The best part is that the exam is $100.00.
You can learn more here on the AWS certification website https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/.
Hopefully the recommendations above will aid your study.
Certifications can be a great way to enhance a career. They will not make you an expert but can give direction and confidence to practice more. Certifications can provide a great foundation for your professional knowledge base. Cloud technology is causing major change in the IT landscape. More organizations are adopting cloud services and integrating them into their IT infrastructure. Storing data, transferring and processing data in the cloud requires skills and knowledge. The Cyber Job Mentor recommends these 5 certs as a start to gaining the knowledge and skill necessary.
The AWS Certified Security – Specialty
validates an understanding of security operations and risk as it pertains to
AWS cloud. It also provides understanding about encryption and ways to implement
in AWS. This certification is recommended for cyber job professionals that have
chosen AWS as their cloud platform of choice. Also, with AWS you can create a
free account for a limited time period to practice necessary skills. This is
considered a specialty exam and there are no prerequisites. The exam cost
$300.00. Amazon suggest at least 2 years of hands on experience securing AWS
and implementing security controls, but it is not a requirement to study for
and take the test. Learn more at the AWS certification web site https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-security-specialty/.
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Security
Engineer Associate measure skill in managing identity, implementing platform
protection, managing security operations, and securing data and applications.
The exam cost is $165.00 and there are no prerequisites or other requirements.
Microsoft has step-by-step guidance at located here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/browse/.
You may also get more information about this certification at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-AZ-500.aspx.
The CCSP – Certified Cloud Security
Professional is brought to you by experts at (ISC)². The same organization that
provides the CISSP exam. The CCSP does have an experience requirement, but it is
possible to take exam without require experience. There are also ways to substitute
the required experience with other certifications or credentials. The cost for
the exam is $599.00. This certification is highly recommended for IT
professionals who already have earned a CISSP or SSCP certification.
The Professional Cloud Security Engineer is
provided by Google. Google markets this exam as perfect for IT professionals
regardless of platform used. This exam covers configuring access within a cloud
solution environment, configuring network security, ensuring data protection, managing
operations within a cloud solution environment, ensuring compliance. There are
no prerequisites for this exam. This certification is recommended because
Google provides hands-on practice and a Coursera course located here https://www.coursera.org/specializations/security-google-cloud-platform.
The exam cost $200.00. You can learn more about the exam here https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-security-engineer.
The Cloud Security Alliance or CSA provides
the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge or CCSK. The CCSK exam is a vendor
neutral exam. The CSA recommends
training courses to familiarize yourself with the exam material. This exam covers
the topics discussed in the CSA Security Guidance for Critical Areas of Focus
in Cloud Computing v4.0 The exam cost is $395.00. There are no prerequisites
for the exam. It is a great exam to get a broad range of cloud security knowledge.
You can learn more at https://ccsk.cloudsecurityalliance.org/en/about.
Use the certifications as a guide to study. As
an IT professional your budget may not be able to stretch to pay for a
certification at this time. That limitation does not mean you cannot study for
a certification. Choose your direction. Set your goal. Make sure you work
towards your goal each and every day. Build your knowledge.
Developing a career in technology can be a challenge. The
Cyber Job Mentor understands this and attempts to mentor and guide future and
present IT professionals. Cloud technology is transforming the IT environment
at a rapid pace. There will be opportunities for IT professionals to fill roles
that currently exist or will exist. I have provided a list of entry level or
beginner level cloud certs to get you started. There are more certs, and these
may not be a good fit for everyone. Look for the certifications and training
that aligns best with your career goals and learning style. The certs chosen are
good for folks without a technical background. These were also chosen for IT
professionals whose experience is not currently focused on the cloud and its technology
and services.
The Cloud+ certification is a great place
for beginners to start gaining cloud skills and knowledge. The CompTIA web site
says that 2 to 3 years of experience is recommended, but considering that there
are no prerequisites, it is deemed good for beginners. As of the date of this
posting the exam costs $319.00 and is valid for three years. You can learn more
at Comptia’s website. https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/cloud
Amazon is a leader in cloud services. Being
able to pass the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
should give you basic skills in
understanding AWS architectural principles, basic security, and basic infrastructure.
This exam does not require any previous experience and Amazon provides many of
the resources needed to study for free and you can sign up for a free account to
practice. Best part is that the exam is $100.00. You can learn more here on the AWS
certification website https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/.
Azure is Microsoft’s cloud service. It was
launched February 1, 2010. The market share is growing day by day. The Azure exam
is less technical than some others and is geared more towards non-technical
professionals but it is still recommended as a beginner level cert. This exam does not require any previous
experience and Microsoft Azure provides many of the resources needed to study
for free and you can sign up for a free account to practice. The exam cost is $99.00.
You can learn more at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-az-900.aspx.
